Barbie Come Back!

After a two-year separation, Barbie's boy toy Ken is hoping to win back the heart of his plastic paramour.

Mattel Inc. made headlines in February 2004, when it was announced that after 43 years the couple wanted some time apart. There were rumours that Ken had made a different lifestyle choice than Barbie, but it turns out he just needed a makeover.

"Ken has revamped his life -- mind, body and soul," Hollywood stylist and Mattel consultant Phillip Bloch said in a statement. "Everyone knows how difficult it is to change, especially when you've lived your life a certain way for more than four decades."

The new Ken has packed on some muscle, lightened his hair and apparently turned into a beach bum. It appears to be working as Barbie has given her interim Aussie lover, Blaine, the heave-ho.

Said Barbie publicist Lauren Dougherty: "He really looks great. But we'll have to stay tuned to see whether these two will get back together."

The best part of this is I'm not kidding. This really happened today and Barbie really does have a publicist. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised -- this announcement seemed as plausible as anything I've ever read about celebrities and to be honest, this couple seems a lot less plastic.